they all kissed the ground which they had so long desired to see. They next erected a crucifix and, prostrating themselves before it, returned thanks to God for conducting their voyage to so happy an issue. They then took solemn possession of the country for the crown of Castile and Leon with all the formalities which the Portuguese were accustomed to observe in acts of this kind in their new discoveries. The Spaniards, while thus employed, were surrounded by many of the natives, who gazed, in silent admiration, upon actions which they could not comprehend, and of which they did not foresee the consequences. The dress of the Spaniards, the whiteness of their skins, their beards, their arms, appeared strange and surprising. The vast machines in which they had traversed the ocean, that seemed to move upon the water with wings, and uttered a dreadful sound resembling thunder, accompanied with lightning and smoke, struck them with such terror, that they began to respect their new guests as a superior order of beings, and concluded that they were children of the sun, who had descended to visit the earth. The Europeans were hardly less amazed at the scene now before them. Every herb, and shrub, and tree was different from those which flourished in Europe. The soil seemed to be rich, but bore few marks of cultivation. The climate, even to the Spaniards, felt warm, though extremely delightful. The inhabitants appeared in the simple innocence of nature, entirely naked. Their black hair, long and uncurled, floated upon their shoulders, or was bound in tresses around their heads. They had no beards, and every part of their bodies was perfectly smooth. Their complexion was of a dusky copper color, their features singular, rather than disagreeable, their aspect gentle and timid. Though not tall, they were well shaped and active. Their faces and several parts of their bodies were fantastically painted with glaring colors. They were shy at first through fear, but soon became familar with the Spaniards, and with transports of joy received from them hawk's bells,1 glass beads, or other baubles, in return for which they gave such provisions as they had, and some cotton yarn, the only commodity of value that they could produce. Toward evening Columbus returned to his ship, accompanied by many of the islanders in their boats, which they called canoes; and though rudely formed out of the trunk of a single tree, they rowed them with surprising dexterity. 1 Hawk's bells: Bells worn by hawks when used by sportsmen in falconry. COLUMBUS JOAQUIN MILLER From the complete poetical works of Joaquin Miller, copyrighted and published by the Whittaker & Ray-Wiggin Co. The following poem shows the spirit that animated Columbus on his first voyage:— EHIND him lay the gray Azores, Behind the Gates of Hercules; 1 1 Gates of Hercules: The Cape of Gibraltar on the European side, and the Cape on the south of the Strait of Gibraltar on the African shore. Before him not the ghost of shores, The good mate said: "Now we must pray, 66 66 Why, say: Sail on! Sail on! And on!" My men grow mutinous day by day; My men grow ghastly, wan and weak.' 66 They sailed and sailed, as winds might blow, 66 Why, now not even God would know Should I and all my men fall dead. These very winds forget their way,1 For God from these dread seas is gone. Now speak, brave Adm'r'l, speak and say He said: "Sail on! Sail on! And on!" Then spake the mate: "This mad sea shows his teeth to-night, He curls his lip, he lies in wait, With lifted teeth as if to bite: 1 These very winds forget their way: An allusion to the trade winds blowing always in one direction. Brave Adm'r'l, say but one good word; What shall we do when hope is gone? The words leaped as a leaping sword: "Sail on! Sail on! Sail on! Sail on!" Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck Ah, that night Of all dark nights! And then a speck- It grew to be time's burst of dawn. GETTING SUPPLIES FROM THE WRECK From "Robinson Crusoe " DANIEL DEFOE Daniel Defoe was born in 1660 or 1661. He died near London in 1731. His father was a butcher, and educated him for the Presby DEFOE terian ministry. Defoe wrote more than two hundred books and pamphlets. With all this work he found time to engage twice in business, but failed in both ventures. His writings may be placed in three classes: political writings, about which you will care nothing; fiction, of which you will read only "Robinson Crusoe," and that you should own and read again and again; and miscellaneous writings, of which you should, when you are older, read the "History of the Plague in London." AFTER I had solaced my mind with the comfortable part of my condition, I began to look around me, to see what kind of a place I was in, and what was to be done next. I soon found that I was in a dreadful condition. My life was saved, but I was wet, had no change of clothes, nor anything to eat or drink, or to comfort me in any way. I saw no prospect before me but that of perishing with hunger or being devoured by wild beasts. I had no weapon so that I might hunt and kill some creature for food, or to defend myself against wild animals. I had nothing about me but a knife, a tobacco pipe, and a little tobacco in a box. This was all my provision, and I was in such terrible agonies of mind, that for a while I ran about like a madman. Night coming on, I began, with a heavy heart, to consider what would be my lot if there were any ravenous beasts in that country, as they always come abroad at night for their prey. The only protection that I could think of was to get up into a thick bushy tree, like a fir, but thorny, which was growing near. I resolved to spend the night in it, and the next day consider what death I should die, for I saw no prospect of life. I walked about a furlong from the shore in search of fresh water to drink, which, to my great delight, I soon found. I put a little tobacco in my mouth to prevent hunger, and climbed the tree, and placed myself in such position that I would not fall. After having cut me a short stick for defense, being excessively fatigued I fell asleep, and slept more comfortably than I believe many could have done in my condition. In the morning I found myself greatly refreshed. When I awoke it was broad daylight, the weather was |